Vaccine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method of immunising a subject comprising the step of administering a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site of the subject, methods of use of the composition for vaccination and sterilization and use of the composition in manufacturing a medicament.

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of vaccination comprising the step of administering at a mucosal site a composition comprising a carbohydrate polymer and an antigen. It also relates to a composition used in the vaccination and to a vaccine adapted for administration at a mucosal site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Most infectious agents enter the body through mucosal membranes, and recent vaccine strategies have concentrated on the production of antibodies at these sites to block their entry. The stimulation of secretory immune responses, which includes mucosal IgA, the predominant antibody isotype in mucosal secretions with the capability to neutralise bacteria, bacterial products and viruses, is considered to be crucial to vaccine development [1-4]. Currently most vaccines delivered by injection are not efficient at inducing a mucosal response.

[0003] At present the oral polio vaccine remains the only successful large-scale vaccine that gives protection at the mucosal level. It is a live vaccine whose attenuation was achieved empirically with the attendant risks of back-mutation. In contrast, immunisation with defined protein antigens would have many advantages, including safety in immunosuppressed individuals. However, before such vaccines can be developed there is a need for adjuvants and delivery systems to overcome the problems associated with mucosal vaccination using defined protein antigens, including poor immunogenicity or the induction of tolerance.

[0004] Bacterial enterotoxins such as cholera toxin (CT) produced by Vibrio cholerae, and labile toxins from Esherichia coli have been co-administered with antigens and act as adjuvants with antigens [5,6]. However, these adjuvants pose health risks due to their toxic properties, and for the most part, cannot be used in human trials, and have limited usefulness for human vaccination. With regard to cholera toxin, Wiedermann, John-Schmid and Lindblad et al [7] showed that the tolerogenic or immunogenic properties for the B subunit of cholera toxin depended on the nature of the antigen/allergen to which it is coupled.

[0005] Thus, in addition to its toxicity, CT suffers from a major disadvantage in that it may not be effective as an adjuvant, but rather, lead to tolerance.

[0006] In other studies, a genetically modified, detoxified form of the heat-labile toxin of enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT(RI92G)) was used intranasally in mice together with C. albicans (a fungus which causes “Thrush”), and protection against C. albicans infection was indicated [8].

[0007] Vaccines containing DNA encoding the antigen and low-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMCS-L) as a vehicle to carry the DNA to its site of action have been studied (9]. Lipids, such as monophosphoryl lipid A (CMPL) [10] which presumably aids in uptake of the antigen by the mucosal cell membrane, have also been used.

[0008] However, the usefulness of these as adjuvants is unclear.

[0009] Adjuvants which have been administered with immunogens via the mucosa have therefore consisted of potentially dangerous bacterial or viral derivatives and display variable degrees of adjuvanticity. The development of efficacious mucosal vaccines has further been hindered by incomplete understanding of mechanisms of pathogen transmission, and the immune responses specific to each pathogen. For example, development of a potent mucosal HIV vaccine has been affected by lack of understanding of mucosal HIV infection, and the immune responses that control the infection. There are studies which show that passive administration of IgG can confer protection against HIV infection at a mucosal site. However, the protection is limited, in that it appears unlikely that the protection is totally via neutralisation of the initial cell infection. It seems more likely that neutralisation at secondary lymphoid sites are important in controlling pathogen transmission via the mucosa [11]. Thus, many different approaches have been tried, to induce mucosal immunoglobin based immunity—like by immunising systematically and by immunising at a mucosal site. In most cases, the approaches have failed and are either toxic, or do not give rise to efficacious and practical immunoglobin based immune response.

[0010] Mannan, a polymannose or polysaccharide derived from the cell wall of yeast, when oxidised and conjugated to human Mucin 1 (an overexpressed cancer antigen) has been used in mice to induce immune responses [12, 13]. Intraperitoneal immunisation resulted in the induction of cellular immune responses as shown by production of CTLs and their precursors, Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12. Antibody production was usually low. In tests in more than 100 patients, mannan has not shown any obvious toxicity or autoimmunity [14].

[0011] Mannose receptors which bind mannan have so far been identified on macrophages and dendritic cells. Oxidised mannan has been shown to stimulate production of interleukin 12 in macrophages, and also to stimulate T-cells, and to cause rapid trafficking of antigens to the class I pathway to produce cytotoxic T-cells in mice [15].

[0012] Surprisingly the inventors have discovered that if mannan is administered via a mucosal site beneficial immunogenic effects are produced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of immunising a subject, comprising the step of administering a composition comprising:

[0014] an antigen; and

[0015] a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site.

[0016] The immunisation preferably results in a humoral or cellular immune response. Preferably, it results in a humoral response. More preferably, it results in a humoral response wherein one or more of IgA, IgG, IgM and optionally, IgE antibody production is stimulated. In some instances, stimulation of IgE production may be beneficial, eg to immunise against worm infections.

[0017] In other instances, a reduction in total IgE production, or a reduction in the level of IgE relative to other antibody classes, can be beneficial, e.g. to prevent or reduce type I hypersensitivity or atopy, e.g.hayfever, asthma attacks or food and other allergies. IgE binding to its receptor and subsequent cross-linking with allergen is responsible for triggering immune responses underlying conditions such as asthma including atopic asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, which are health problems of epidemic proportions. Thus, in one embodiment, the immune response is such that IgE production is reduced. In another embodiment, the IgE titre relative to one or more of IgA, IgG, IgM or subclasses of these is reduced. IgE production may be unchanged, or be substantially unchanged, whilst the production of one or more of the other antibodies is increased upon immunization with the composition.

[0018] Most preferably, IgA production is stimulated, and the titre of IgA at one or more mucosal areas, and/or in the serum, is increased. In one embodiment, IgA production upon immunization is greater when compared with production of IgG, IgM and IgE. In a preferred embodiment, the immunisation selectively stimulates production of one or more of IgA, IgG and IgM over IgE. The immunoglobulins may include one or more of the subclasses within each class of antibody, for instance IgG2a and IgG1. Thus, in another preferred embodiment, immunization results in greater production of IgA relative to the increase in IgG1 and/or IgG2a production. The levels of antibody may be increased in serum or at mucosal sites, or both.

[0019] The subject immunised may be a human or an animal. For example the invention may be used to prevent and/or treat animal diseases. Thus, the antigen may be any pathogen known to cause diseases or infections in any animal species that include but are not limited to farm animals such as pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, and domestic animals and/or household pets such as cats and dogs, exotic animals such as zoo animals and feral animals. The antigen may also be an antigenic part of any of the pathogens. The types of infections or diseases that may be prevented or treated in accordance with the invention include but are not limited to those described in “Hagen and Bruner's Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of Domestic animals: with reference to etiology, epizootiology, pathogenisis, immunity, diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility”, WA Hagen, Comstock Pub. Associates, 1988, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

[0020] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of immunising a subject comprising the step of administering a composition comprising:

[0021] an antigen; and

[0022] a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site thereby to stimulate a secretory immune response.

[0023] The secretory immune response is preferably IgA immune response at one or more mucosal sites. Stimulation of secretory immune responses at these sites is particularly advantageous, as it can assist in neutralisation of pathogens or infectious agents upon their entry into the body through mucosal membranes.

[0024] The mucosal site may be a region or any area, from any mucosal surfaces, e.g. those lining the oral cavity or tissues, including the teeth and gingivae, those lining the gastrointestinal tract, or those lining the nasal passages and lungs, and the reproductive tract/tissues. The conjunctiva of the eyes also provides a suitable surface for administration of the composition. Examples of mucosal sites or surfaces include but are not limited to the respiratory tract such as the nasal region (e.g. the nose), the trachea, bronchi and the lungs, the buccal or oral tissues including the oral (e.g. the mouth and gingivae) and oro-pharyngeal cavities, the throat including the tonsils, the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines, colon and rectum). An increase in antibody production in the male and female urinary and reproductive tracts is also contemplated and includes but is not limited to the bladder, ureter, urethra and associated tissues, the penis, the vulva/vagina and cervico-vaginal tissues, as well as the uterus and fallopian tubes.

[0025] Preferably, antibody production is increased in the respiratory tract such as the nasal region (e.g. the nose), the trachea, bronchi and the lungs, the buccal or oral tissues including the oral (e.g. the mouth and gingivae) and oro-pharyngeal cavities, the throat including the tonsils, the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestine, colon and rectum). An increase in antibody production in the male and female urinary and reproductive tracts is also contemplated and these include but is not limited to the bladder, ureter, urethra and associated tissues, the penis, the vulva/vagina and cervico-vaginal tissues, as well as the uterus and fallopian tubes. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the titre of IgA upon immunization is increased in a mucosal region selected from the group consisting of the lungs, nasal region, throat, gut, and male and female urinary and reproductive tracts. In another embodiment, the titre of one or more of IgA, IgG, IgM and, optionally, IgE is increased. In yet another embodiment, the level of one or more of IgA, IgG or IgM is increased to a greater degree than IgE. The immunoglobulins may include one or more sub-classes within each class of antibody.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the titre of IgA is increased upon immunization, to a greater degree than increases in IgG and IgM. Preferably, the increase in serum IgA upon immunization is greater than the increase in IgG1 and/or IgG2a.

[0027] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of modulating an immune response at a mucosal site in a subject, comprising the step of administering a composition comprising:—

[0028] an antigen; and

[0029] a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site.

[0030] The immune response is preferably modulated so that antibody production, in response to administration of the composition, is selected from the group consisting of IgA production, IgG production, IgM production and IgE production. The immune response may also be modulated by selectively inducing a desired type of antibody response, for example, by increasing its level of production so that a greater amount is produced when compared with another class or subclass of antibody. In one embodiment, the immune response is modulated by inducing an increase in production of one or more of IgA, IgG and IgM relative to that of IgE. More preferably, the immune response is modulated by increasing production of IgA relative to that of IgG, IgM and/or IgE. Most preferably, the immune response is modulated such that IgA production is increased relative to the production of IgG, particularly IgG1 and/or IgG2a. The immune response may also be modulated by inducing production of antibodies whose presence in turn modulates response to other classes of antibodies. In a preferred embodiment, the immune response is modulated such that production of one or more of IgA, IgG1, IgG2a or IgM attenuates or inhibits the action of IgE. In another embodiment, the production of one type of antibody stimulates the action of another class of antibody.

[0031] Alternatively the immune response is preferably modulated so that mediators of cellular immunity are stimulated, such as Th1 and/or Th2.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the mucosal or secretory immune response is stronger than the systemic immune response. In a preferred embodiment, the secretory immune response is an IgA response, and the systemic immune response is IgG response.

[0033] The antigen which evokes the immune response may include and is not limited to all or immunogenic portions of pollens, allergens especially those that induce asthma, bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi, protozoa and other microorganisms, or pathogens of human, animal or plant origin. Derivatives of these antigens are also contemplated and may be homologues, analogues, conjugates or salts of such entities.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the antigen is selected from the group consisting of influenza virus, haemagglutinin of influenza, Porphyromonas gingivalis (which causes gum disease and cardiovascular disease), proteinase and adhesin epitopes of Porphyromona gingivalis, Helicobacter pylori, urease of Helicobacter pylori, rotavirus, recombinant outer capsid proteins of rotavirus, HIV, gp120 of HIV, RSV, surface proteins of RSV, antigens from microorganisms which cause venereal disease and ovalbumin peptides.

[0035] Other antigens or antigenic portions or derivatives thereof may also be used in accordance with the invention. These include but are not limited to Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, BCG, Mycobacterium avium, M. avium hsp65, influenza nucleoprotein, Respiratory Syncyticial virus (RSV) F or G proteins, HIV, Candida especially Candida albicans and Chlamydia trachomatis or outer membrane proteins thereof, Neisseria meningitidis class 1 outer protein, Herpes simplex virus type I glycoprotein G or gp D or CP27, Human Papilloma Virus antigen E7, Porphyromonas gingivalis Cpx, Murray valley encephalitis virus E glycoprotein, antigenic portions thereof and derivatives thereof. Antigens selected from the group consisting of those pathogens which cause the common cold, those which cause chlamydia, from Streptococcus, from Staphylococcus may also be used in accordance with the invention. Antigens corresponding to, or derived from, the organisms disclosed in “Medical Biology, a Guide to Microbial Infections: Pathogenesis, Immunity, Laboratory Diagnosis and Control”, D Greenwood, R Slack and J Peutherer (eds), 15^(th) edition, Churchill Livingston, Edinburgh, 1997, incorporated in its entirety herein by this reference, are also contemplated.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention, the antigen is selected from the group consisting of Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, outer membrane proteins thereof, antigenic portions thereof, derivatives thereof, and synthetic peptides based on epitopes from these organisms. In one embodiment, the antigen is selected from the group comprising the 19 kDa lipoprotein of M. tuberculosis, hsp-65 of M. avium, VP5 of rotavirus, E7 of HPV and Cpx of P. gingivalis.

[0037] A selected antigen may form part of a fusion protein in order to facilitate expression and purification on production of the fusion protein in recombinant host cells. The non-antigen portion of the fusion protein would generally represent the N-terminal region of the fusion polypeptide with the carboxy terminal sequences comprising antigen sequences. Fusion proteins may be selected from glutathione-S-transferase, β-galactosidase, or any other protein or part thereof, particularly those which enable affinity purification utilising the binding or other affinity characteristics of the protein to purify the resultant fusion protein. The protein may also be fused to the C-terminal or N-terminal of the carrier protein. The nature of the fusion protein will depend upon the vector system in which fusion proteins are produced. An example of a bacterial expression vector is pGEX which on subcloning of a gene of interest into this vector produces a fusion protein consisting of glutathione-S-transferase with the protein of interest. Examples of other vector systems which give rise to fusion proteins with a protein of interest are described in Sambrook et al, “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 1989, incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

[0038] Alternatively synthetic peptides or epitopes, optionally coupled to a protein carrier may be used in the invention. Synthetic peptides or epitopes may be produced in accordance with standard methods.

[0039] The carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose is most preferably a carbohydrate polymer containing mannan. In a preferred embodiment the antigen is conjugated to oxidised mannan in a similar manner to that described in WO 95/18145. The mannan is preferably isolated from cell wall of yeast, and may be oxidised using reagents such as sodium periodate to produce a polyaldehyde which is then directly reacted with a selected antigen. Reduced mannan may also be used, and a composition containing this may be prepared by adding sodium borohydride to an oxidised mannan-antigen conjugate.

[0040] In one embodiment polysaccharide chains may be first activated with cyanogen bromide and the activated polysaccharide then reacted with a diamine, followed by conjugation to the antigen to form a conjugate which may optionally then be oxidized. The carbohydrate and polypeptide may be derivatized with bifunctional agents in order to cross-link the carbohydrate and polypeptide. Commonly used crosslinking agents include 1,1-bis (diazoacetyl)-2-phenylethane, glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, for example, esters with 4-azidosalicyclic acid, homobifunctional imidoesters including disuccinimidyl esters such as 3,3′-dithiobis(succinimidyl-propionate), and bi functional maleimides such as bis-N-maleimido-1,8-octane. Derivatizing agents such as methyl-3-[(p-azido-phenyl)dithio] propioimidate yield photactivitable intermediates which are capable of forming cross-links in the presence of light. Oxidised carbohydrates may be reacted with hydrazine derivatives of antigens to give a conjugate. Alternatively, carbohydrates may be reacted with reagents such as carbonyl diimidazole, which after oxidation gives the desired conjugate.

[0041] The coupling of antigens to carbohydrate involves converting any or all of the functional groups on the carbohydrate to reactive groups and thereafter reacting the reactive groups on the carbohydrate with reactive groups on the polypeptide. Carbohydrate polymers are replete with hydroxide groups, and in some instances, carboxyl groups (such as in iurodinate), ester groups (such as methylgalacturonate) and the like. These groups may be activated according to standard chemical procedures. For example, hydroxyl groups may be reacted with hydrogen halides, such as hydrogen iodide, hydrogen bromide and hydrogen chloride to give the reactive halogenated polysaccharide. Hydroxy groups may be activated with phosphorous trihalides, active metals (such as sodium ethoxide, aluminium isopropoxide and potassium tert-butoxide), or esterified (with groups such as tosyl chloride or acetic acid) to form reactive groups which can be then be reacted with reactive groups on the polypeptide to form one or more bonds. Other functional groups on carbohydrates apart from hydroxyl groups may be activated to give reactive groups according to well known procedures in the art.

[0042] Without wishing to be bound by any proposed mechanism for the observed advantages of the invention, it is thought that the mannan not only acts as an adjuvant, but is also a potent mucosal adjuvant by virtue of increased or efficient uptake via the mucosa.

[0043] The mucosa is as described above, and includes the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory tract such as the nasal region and the lungs, the GI tract such as the buccal or oral and oro-pharyngeal cavities, throat, tonsils and gut, the rectal tissues, and the male and female urinary and reproductive tracts including the cervico-vaginal tissues.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a composition adapted to be administered at a mucosal site thereby to generate an immune response, the composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose. Preferably, the antigen, carbohydrate polymer and immune response are as described above. These antigens and carbohydrates are also preferably treated in the manner described above to form the composition.

[0045] The composition is preferably formulated for administration at a mucosal site by inhalation of the composition which is sprayed into the nasal region. However, it may also be administered by absorption of droplets or fluid placed on or applied to, one or more mucosal sites such as regions of the mouth, tongue, throat, the gut including the stomach, the nasal and respiratory passages including the lungs, the reproductive tract including the vagina and cervix, and the rectum. Application of the composition may also be by rubbing or massaging it onto one or more accessible mucosal areas. The composition may also be placed in a slow- or time-release device such as a capsule or a suppository (e.g. those based on alginate microspheres, poly(lactideco-glycolide) or collagen polymers) which may be inserted, for instance, in the rectum. It may also be administered by injection into a mucosal site as indicated above. The composition may also be formulated in accordance with the relevant methods set out in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., USA, incorporated herein by this reference. The composition is most preferably used to vaccinate a subject in need thereof via a mucosal site. The immune response is preferably a response as described above.

[0046] Thus in a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a vaccine to be administered at a mucosal site, comprising a composition as described above.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a method of vaccinating a subject, comprising the step of administering at a mucosal site a vaccine comprising a composition as described above.

[0048] The composition or vaccine in accordance with the invention is preferably administered via a mucosal site to human or animal patients to protect against various disease states including diseases or infection of the eyes such as trachoma or conjunctivitis, listeriosis, tuberculosis, influenza, colds, respiratory diseases, sexually transmitted diseases or infections by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, or other microorganisms or pathogens.

[0049] Administration or vaccination may be as described above, or may be a single or multiple event, or may be part of a prime-boost protocol, a combination of these, or each of these with other, conventional methods of vaccination. The prime-boost protocol may, for example, comprise priming by intramuscular administration, and boosting by intranasal administration. The prime-boost may, in addition to the composition of the invention, include DNA, viruses (eg vaccinia) or other immunogenic peptides or molecules, including the antigens described above. One or both of the priming and boosting composition may include the composition of the invention, namely, an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose. Thus, in a prime-boost protocol, one of the events may include the composition in accordance with the invention, while the other may omit the carbohydrate polymer containing mannose.

[0050] Other methods that may be used include but are not limited to injection via the rectum, the oral cavity, or rubbing of the vaccine onto a mucosal surface or site. The amount and frequency may be determined by an attending physician or veterinarian. By way of example, 1 μg to 10,000 μg/kg may be administered to a subject, preferably 5 μg to 5000 μg/kg, more preferably 8-1000 μg/kg and most preferably 400-600 μg/kg. Even more preferably a dose of 100-200 μg/kg is contemplated particularly for humans.

[0051] The compounds or vaccines of the invention may also be administered to subjects in conjunction with other immune regulators that lend themselves to efficacious administration via the mucosa.

[0052] Other adjuvants, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or auxiliaries which may enhance the immunogenicity or effectiveness of the composition or vaccine of the invention may also be included therein, or be co-administered therewith. For instance, lipofectamine may be co-administered with the composition or vaccine of the invention.

[0053] The composition or vaccine may be formulated in accordance with the manner in which it is to be administered. For example, it may be formulated for inclusion in a spray-container, aerosol can or nebuliser for administration by inhalation. Or it may be formulated as a solution or liquid to be added dropwise or as droplets to a mucosal site, e.g. the oral cavity or throat for absorption. Nose-drop formulations, liposomal formulations, slow-release formulations, capsules or devices, or formulations comprising DNA are also contemplated.

[0054] The invention may be used to protect or treat animal and/or human subjects. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method of vaccinating a subject against Chlamydia comprising the step of administering a composition as described above. Preferably the antigen is outer membrane protein of C. trachomatis and the method is used in the treatment or prophylaxis of trachoma.

[0055] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of immunising a subject with BCG, comprising the step of administering a composition as described above, wherein the antigen is BCG, or purified or recombinant preparations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the subject is an animal such as a possum.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a method of sterilising a non-human subject, comprising the step of administering a composition comprising:

[0057] an antigen; and

[0058] a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site.

[0059] In one embodiment, the antigen is derived from sperm and administration of the composition results in production of antibody against sperm thereby to prevent fertilisation of an egg. The antibody is preferably IgA.

[0060] In another embodiment, the antigen is derived from the egg and induces production of antibodies against the zona pellucida preventing maturation of an embryo. The antibody is preferably IgA. Such methods may be used in controlling fertility of subjects such as animals that kill native wild life, e.g. foxes, or animals that destroy natural vegetation, or that compete with livestock for food, e.g. rabbits. Populations of animals that are a reservoir for undesirable diseases, e.g. possums, which carry or act as a reservoir for tuberculosis, may also be controlled using the invention.

[0061] The present invention is advantageous in that it stimulates an effective immune response in a non-invasive manner. For example, animals such as native species in danger of extinction due to diseases may be vaccinated by administering nasal droplets of an immunogenic composition in accordance with the invention. Non-invasive administration could also be achieved by use of aerosols or nebulisers, and are also likely to increase compliance in humans, particularly children.

[0062] The invention also extends to use of the composition described above in the manufacture of a medicament for modulating an immune response in a subject and use of the composition in the manufacture of a vaccine suitable for administration to a mucosal site.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following, non-limiting examples, in which:—

[0064]FIG. 1 shows the results of intranasal versus intraperitoneal immunisation: (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised on days 0, 10, 17 with 12 μg of M-LLOFP intranasally or intraperitoneally, and serum was obtained from individual mice on day 24. Antigen specific IgA (FIG. 1a) and IgG1 (FIG. 1b) were detected by ELISA and optical density was measured at 450 nm. Closed squares (▪) indicate intranasally immunised mice, open circles (◯) intraperitoneally immunised mice and open triangles (Δ) the unimmunised controls. Results for individual mice are shown.

[0065]FIG. 2 shows subclasses of antibody in the serum of M-LLO.FP immunised mice. (CBA×BALB/c) mice were immunised intranasally with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP or unconjugated LLO.FP on day 0, 10 and 17 and serum from 5 individual mice obtained on day 24. Antigen specific IgA (a), IgG1 (b) and IgG2a (c) was detected by ELISA. Individual titres are shown as dot plots, with corresponding symbols for different antibody classes from the same mouse. In addition, titres were converted to geometric means (heavy bar) and standard deviations (vertical bar) for display. Differences between groups receiving M-LLO.FP or unconjugated LLO.FP were significant for all classes of antibody.

[0066]FIG. 3 shows the levels of antigen specific IgA in the serum and distant mucosal sites over a 41 day period: (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised on day 0,10 and 17 with 12 μg of M-LLOFP, with 1pg of CT mixed with 12 μg of LLOFP or with 12 μg of LLOFP alone. Serum (a), vaginal washings (b), and mouth washings (c) were collected from 5 individual mice on days 7, 20, 27 and 41. Antigen specific IgA titres were determined by ELISA and the progress in individual mice shown.

[0067]FIG. 4 shows the antigen specific IgA at distant mucosal sites over a 112 day period: (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised on day 0, 28 and 56 with 12 μg of M-LLOFP, with 1 μg of CT mixed with 12 μg of LLOFP or with 12 μg of LLOFP alone. Serum (a) and, vaginal washings (b) were collected from 4 individual mice on day 31, 74,and 112. Antigen specific IgA titres were determined by ELISA and the progress in individual mice shown.

[0068]FIG. 5 shows the antigen specific IgA in the tears and in the lung washings. (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised on day 0, 10 and 17 with 121 g of M-LLO.FP or with 12 μg of LLO.FP alone. Mice were anaesthetised on day 24 of the experiment and tears (111) collected from 5 mice per group (a). Mice were euthanased on day 35 of the experiment and lung washings (0.5 ml) collected (b). Antigen specific IgA titres were determined by ELISA and individual titres are shown as dot plots. In addition, titres were converted to geometric means (heavy bar) and standard deviations (vertical bar) for display. Differences between groups receiving M-LLO.FP or unconjugated LLO.FP were significant (p<0.01) in tear samples and (p<0.05) for lung washings.

[0069]FIG. 6 shows the effects of the M-LLOFP conjugate when in the oxidised form: (CBA×BALB/c) mice were immunised intranasally with 12 μg of M-LLOFP in the oxidised or reduced form on day 0, 10 and 17. Serum from 5 individual mice was collected on day 24 and antigen specific IgA (a), IgG1 (b) and IgG2a (c) was detected by ELISA. Individual titres are shown as dot plots, with corresponding symbols for different antibody classes from the same mouse. In addition, titres were converted to log₁₀ and geometric means (heavy bar) and standard deviations (vertical bar) were derived and converted back to arithmetic numbers for display. Differences between groups receiving oxidised or reduced M-LLO.FP were significant (p<0.02) for all classes of antibody (Student's t test).

[0070]FIG. 7(a) shows the effects of oxidised mannan as adjuvant for mycobacterial 19 kDa FP: Groups of 4 C57/B. 10 mice were immunised intranasally with 12 μg of M-19FP or 12 μg of 19 kDaFP on day 0,10 and 17. Serum was collected on day 24 and antigen specific IgA determined by ELISA. Individual titres are shown as dot plots. In addition, titres were converted to log₁₀ and geometric means (heavy bar) and standard deviations (vertical bar) were derived and converted back to arithmetic numbers for display. Differences between groups receiving M-19FP and 19FP alone were significant by Student's t test (p<0.02).

[0071]FIG. 7(b) shows ELISA readings for IgA titres for mice immunised with hsp65—mannan conjugate.

[0072]FIG. 8. Comparison of intranasal and intraperitoneal immunisation with M-LLO.FP. (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice (4 per group) were immunised with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP i.n. or i.p. or unconjugated control on day 0, 10 and 17 and mice sacrificed on day 24. (a) Proliferative response: Spleen cells from all groups were cultured in the presence of antigen (45 μg/ml LLO₍₂₁₅₋₂₂₆₎ (▪) or without stimulus (□). Data represent the means and standard deviations of triplicate cultures. *p<0.002 compared with M-LLO.FP i.p. (b) IL-2 production: Spleen cells from all groups were cultured in the presence of antigen (45 μg/ml LLO₍₂₁₅₋₂₂₆₎(▪) or LLO.FP (

)) or without stimulus (□). Data represent the means and standard deviations of triplicate cultures. * p<0.01 ** p<0.002 compared M-LLO.FP i.p. (c) IFN-γ producing cells: Spleen cells from all groups were cultured in the presence of antigen (45 μg/ml of LLO.FP (▪)) or without stimulus (□). Data represent the means and standard deviations of triplicate cultures. * p<0.05 compared with MLLO.FP i.p.

[0073]FIG. 9. IFN-γ and IL4 production following i.n. immunisation with oxidised or reduced M-LLO.FP. (CBA×BALB/c) Fl mice (5 per group) were immunised i.n. with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP (oxidised) or with M-LLO.FP (reduced) on day 0, 10 and 17 or infected i.v. with 1×10³ Listeria on day 17. Mice were sacrificed on day 24. Spleen cells from all groups were cultured in the presence of antigen (45 μg/ml of LLO.FP (▪)) or without stimulus (□) and the frequency of (a) IFN-γ and (b) IL-4 producing cells determined. Data represent the means and standard deviations of triplicate cultures. *p<0.02, **p<0.05 compared with the reduced group for IFN-γ and ILA respectively. Note different scales.

[0074]FIG. 10. IFN-γ production following i.n. immunisation with M-19.FP. C57BU10 mice (4 per group) were immunised i.n. with 12 μg of M-19.FP or unconjugated control on day 0, 10 and 17 or infected i.n. with M. evium 6 weeks prior to immunisation. Mice were sacrificed on day 24 and spleen cells from all groups cultured in the presence of antigen (▪) (19 kDa.FP 23 μg/ml), 10⁷ live M. avium (

) or without stimulus (□). Data represent the means and standard deviations of triplicate wells. * p<0.05 compared with the 19.kDa.FP group.

[0075]FIG. 11: Antibody titres in serum following immunisation with VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄FP with and without mannan adjuvant: Mice were immunised intranasally with 6 μg VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄-mannan of VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄ alone on days 0,10 and 17, and bled from the tail vein on days 24 and 35. Titres are expressed as log 10 geometric means plus or minus standard deviation for groups of 5 mice. Differences p<0.05 are considered significant. **p<0.02, *p<0.05.

[0076]FIG. 12: IgA titres on mucosal surfaces following immunisation with VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄FP with and without mannan adjuvant: Mice were immunised intranasally with 6 μg VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄-mannan of VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄ alone on days 0,10 and 17. Titres are expressed as log 10 geometric means plus or minus standard deviation for groups of 5 mice.

[0077] (A). On day 24 tears were collected as described and IgA antibody assayed by ELISA. Note limit of detection was {fraction (1/100)} and no antibody was detected in mice receiving antigen alone.

[0078] (B). On day 34 stools were collected, homogenised in 10× volume of PBS and the extracted IgA antibody assayed by ELISA. Note limit of detection was {fraction (1/10)} and no antibody was detected in mice receiving antigen alone.

[0079] (C) On day 35 the mice were sacrificed and lung washings collected. Significant difference in titres, p<0.02.

[0080]FIG. 13. Protection against Porphyromonas gingivalis lesions: Groups of 5 C57B1/10 mice were immunised with Cpx-mannan given intranasally (FIG. 13(a)) or Cpx in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) subcutaneously (FIG. 13(b)). Control mice received the respective adjuvants alone. Mice given Cpx-mannan intranasally showed no lesions—complete protection (p<0.001), while those given Cpx in IFA showed incomplete protection (p<0.05).

[0081]FIG. 14. Serum antibody titres: Groups of 5 C57B1/10 mice were immunised with Cpx-mannan given intranasally or Cpx in incomplete Freund's adjuvants (IFA) subcutaneously. Control mice received the respective adjuvants alone. The mice were bled from the retro-orbital plexus after 2 or three doses and serum antibody assayed by ELISA. Titres on pooled sera are shown.

[0082]FIG. 15: Antibody titres in serum following immunisation with E7.FP coupled to mannan under oxidising or reducing conditions or without mannan adjuvant (E7 alone): Mice were immunised intranasally with 12 μg antigen (with or without mannan) on days 0, 10 and 17, and bled from the tail vein on days 24. Titres are expressed as log 10 geometric means plus or minus standard deviation for groups of 5 mice. Titres of all classes of antibody in groups immunised E7.FP plus either oxidised or reduced mannan were significantly different from the group receiving E7.FP, alone p<0.01.

EXAMPLE 1 Materials and General Methods

[0083] Mice: Female 6-8 week old (CBA×BALB/c)F1 and C57B1/10 mice were bred and maintained under conventional but infection-free conditions in the animal house of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne.

[0084] Production of antigens: A p. bluescript plasmid containing the gene for Listeriolysin O (LLO) from Listeria monocytogenes (without its leader sequence) was obtained from Richard Strugnell (University of Melbourne, Australia) and subcloned into the Escherichia coli expression vector pGEX-2T [16] in the correct reading frame and orientation. The expression of an 84 kDa LLO glutathione-s-transferase (GST) fusion protein (LLO.FP) was induced with 0.1 mM IPTG (Sigma Chemical Co., MO, USA) at 37° C. for 5 hours. Bacteria were collected by centrifugation (1,500×g) for 5 minutes, washed and lysed by sonication. The pellet was collected after centrifugation and solubilised in 8M urea (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., USA) overnight at 4° C. After further centrifugation (26,000×g) for 15 minutes the supernatant was dialysed in 0.01 M Tris (Sigma Chemical Co., MO, USA) pH 8.0/1 M urea and the BIOCAD perfusion chromatography system (Perceptive Biosystems, Framingham, Mass., USA) used to purify the protein by anion exchange.

[0085] The 19 kDa lipoprotein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was produced using a recombinant 19 kDa-plasmid construct was obtained from Professor Douglas Young (Imperial College School of Medicine, London, U.K) and the expression of a 19 kDa HIS tag fusion protein (19FP) induced with 0.1 mM IPTG at 37° C. for 5 hours. Bacteria were collected by centrifugation (1,500×g), washed and lysed by sonication. The supernatant was collected after further centrifugation (26,000×g) for 15 minutes and dialysed in 0.01 M Tris pH 8.0/300 mM NaCl/20 mM imidazole and purified under native conditions on a Nickel chelate column (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) using the BIOCAD perfusion chromatography system.

[0086] Rotavirus VP5 antigen was produced recombinantly using the gene for the fragment of VP5 from amino acid 248-475 (VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄) [17]. This gene fragment was cloned into the PGEX plasmid to create a fusion protein with glutathione S transferase. The recombinant E. coli was grown overnight at 37° C. in LB-ampicillin medium and subcultured at 1:50 dilution into fresh LB-ampicillin medium. After incubation of the bacteria at 20° C. until OD6%=1.4-1.6 (about 12-16 hours), expression of the fusion protein was induced with 0.01 mM IPTG for 6-8 hours at 20° C. Bacteria were harvested and washed before sonication in PBS for 15 seconds each. Centrifugation followed by passage through a 0.45 μm filter was used to collect soluble protein. The GST fusion protein was purified using Glutathione Beads, according to the manufacturers' instructions (Sigma, Mo., USA). The eluted GSTVP5 was passed through the 0.45 μm filter to remove traces of beads and the protein dialysed against pH 9 bicarbonate buffer. The antigen, hsp65 of Mycobacterium avium was produced recombinantly according to standard methods. The cloning and expression of hsp65 of Mycobacterium avium has been described by V. Nagabhushanam, J. Praszkier and C. Cheers, Immunology and Cell Biology (2001) in press. Briefly the sequences of hsp65 genes from various mycobacterial species were obtained from GenBank, aligned and used to design primers. The open reading frame of the hsp65 gene of M. avium was amplified by PCR. The purified PCR product was inserted into M13tg131B. The insert was re-cloned into M13tg130B, which facilitated sequencing of the complementary strand of the insert. The fragment containing the coding sequence the hsp65 was moved from the M13tg130B derivative into p2GEX-2T, so that the hsp65 reading frame was fused in-frame to the 3′ end of one of the two copies of the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) of Schistosoma japonicum. E. coli strain BL21, transformed with the recombinant plasmid p2GEXhsp65. Expression of the GST fusion was induced by the addition of 0.1 mM Isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG) (Sigma). Bacteria were harvested, washed and lysed. The cell lysate was cleared by centrifugation and the separated cell pellet and supernatant analysed on a 12% SDS-PAGE. The supernatant, which contained the majority of the fusion protein (GST-Hsp65) was filtered and the GST fusion protein purified by binding to glutathione agarose beads according to manufacturers' instructions (Sigma). To cleave Hsp65 from GST, the beads were incubated overnight at room temperature with thrombin (Pharmacia) (10 units per milligram of protein) in 10 ml of PBS, then pelleted, the supernatant collected and the protein content estimated spectrophotometrically.

[0087] The E7 antigen of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) was produced by recombinant means. The DNA sequence for the E7 antigen from HPV was cloned into the pGEX-2T vectors. Protein expression was induced by IPTG, and purified using glutathione-sepharose column chromatography. Elution of the bound protein was with a solution of 5 mM glutathione in Tris 0.05M, pH 8.0.

[0088] The antigen, Cpx, of Porphyromonas gingivalis was prepared according to O'Brien-Simpson et al. [18].

[0089] Preparation of oxidised or reduced mannan-antigen conjugates Mannan (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Mo., USA) was coupled to the antigens under oxidising conditions. Mannan at 14 mg/ml in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 6.0 was oxidised with 0.01 M sodium periodate for 60 min at 4° C. Ten microlitres of ethandiol (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Mo., USA) was added to quench the reaction and the mixture incubated for 30 min at 4° C. This mixture was then passed through a PD-10 column (Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden)-equilibrated with bicarbonate buffer pH 9.0. The oxidised mannan, eluted in the 2 ml void volume, was mixed with 700 μg of the antigen, incubated overnight at room temperature and used without any further purification. Conjugation was confirmed when the conjugates were separated using 12.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and a heterogeneous smear (compared with the single band of uncoupled protein) was observed using Comassie Blue stain. For comparison in some experiments, the oxidised conjugates were reduced with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) (Aldrich, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia) 1 mg/ml overnight at room temperature and used without further purification.

[0090] Immunisation with Mannan-antigen conjugates: Mice were lightly anaesthetised with penthrane and 50pl of mannan-antigen conjugate (12 μg antigen/mouse in bicarbonate buffer pH 9.0, unless otherwise specified), placed onto the nares to be inhaled by the mouse. The same amount of non-conjugated antigen was similarly applied. Unless stated otherwise, this procedure was performed on days 0, 10 and 17 of the experiments. In some experiments mice were given 12 μg of mannan-LLO.FP (M-LLO.FP) conjugate intraperitoneally in 0.2 ml bicarbonate buffer pH 9.0 on days 0, 10 and 17. Cholera toxin (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Mo., USA) was also used for comparative purposes as an adjuvant to act as a positive control in some experiments. One microgram of CT was mixed with 12 μg of LLO.FP and administered intranasally (i.n) in a 50 μl volume on days 0, 10 and 17.

[0091] Collection of samples: Serum samples were collected after mice were bled by cardiac puncture following euthanasia at the end of each experiment. For time-course experiments mice were placed on a heat box, a small incision made in a lateral vein and 200 μl of blood collected with a micropippeter. The serum was subsequently separated by centrifugation. Mouth and vaginal washings were collected from anaesthetised mice, by washing with 50 or 100 μl of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) respectively, using a micropippetor. For the collection of faecal samples, mice were placed in cages without sawdust and 2-5 fresh stools were collected per mouse. One ml of PBS/SBTI (PBS containing 0.1 mg/ml soybean trypsin inhibitor (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Mo., USA)) was added for every 0.1 gm of faeces. The samples were vortexed for 15 minutes and then microcentrifuged at 15,000×g for 15 minutes at 4° C. Phenyl sulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Mo., USA) at a final concentration of 1 mM was then added to the supernatants.

[0092] Tears were collected by lightly anaethetising the mice with penthrane and a sliver of filter paper was briefly touched on the upper and lower conjunctiva, collecting about 1 μl of tears. The paper was then immersed in 100 μl PBS-Tween to extract antibody [19]. Lung washings were obtained after mice were euthanased with CO₂. Lungs were washed in situ with 0.5 ml PBS through an opening in the trachea. All samples were stored at −20° C. prior to assay.

[0093] Detection of antibody in the serum and mucosal sites by ELISA: Microtitre plates (Nunc Roskilde, Denmark) were coated overnight at 4° C. with 5 μg/ml antigen in carbonate buffer pH 9.1. The wells were then blocked with 2% foetal calf serum (FCS) (Trace Biosciences, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia) in PBS for 1 hour at 37° C. The plates were washed 3 times with 0.08% Tween 20 (BDH Laboratory Supplies, Poole, England) PBS and appropriately diluted samples in 50 μl added and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature. After two more washes, antigen-specific IgA was detected by the addition of an anti-mouse IgA affinity purified horse radish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate (Southern Biotechnology Associates Inc. Birmingham, USA) diluted {fraction (1/1000)} in 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) (CSL, Melbourne, Australia) for 1 hour at room temperature. Antigen specific IgG1 or IgG2a was detected with the addition of a biotinylated anti-mouse IgG1 or IgG2a conjugate (Caltag Laboratories, Burlinggame, Ca, USA) diluted {fraction (1/1000)} in 0.1% BSA. The plates were washed twice more and a streptavidin peroxidase conjugate (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany) added at a {fraction (1/1000)} dilution in 0.1% BSA. Following a further two washes, the antibody titres of all the subclasses tested were determined when the substrates containing either 0.4 g/l 3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) (Kirkgaard and Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, Md., USA) and 0.02% H₂O₂ or 2,2′-azino-bis(3ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Mo., USA) and 0.03% H₂O₂ were added (50 μl/well). Plates were left 10 minutes for colour to develop and the reaction stopped with 2M H₂SO₄ for the TMB substrate or 0.2M citric acid for ABTS. OD at 450 nm (TMB) or 405 nm (ABTS) was read in an ELISA reader (Labsystems, Helsinki, Finland). Antibody titres were presented as the highest dilution which yielded an optical density at 450 nm or 405 nm>0.1 OD units higher than normal serum at {fraction (1/100)} dilution. For calculation of means, the titre was converted to log₁₀ and a geometric mean was derived.

[0094] Spleen cell proliferation and cytokine production: Mice were euthanased with CO₂ and spleen cells prepared by passage through an 80 gauge wire mesh sieve. Red blood cells were lysed using Tris-NH₄Cl buffer [20]. After thorough washing, suspensions of spleen cells were cultured in flat-bottomed 96 well plates at a concentration of 2×10⁶/ml in 200 μl volumes with and without the MHC class 11 restricted epitope of LLO₍₂₁₅₋₂₂₆₎ (45 μg/ml) for 3 days at 37° C., 5% CO₂. For the last 5 hrs the cells were pulsed with 0.25 μCi [³H]-TdR (Amersham, Buckinghamshire, U.K) before being harvested onto glass fibre filters (Packard, Meridan, Conn., USA) using the Micro 96 harvester (Skatron Instruments, Wokingham, UK) and β emissions counted using a Packard Matrix 9600 (Packard). For IL-2 bioassay, supernatants from similarly-cultured cells were collected after 24 hour culture and IL-2 was assayed by its ability to cause the proliferation of CTLL cells [21].

[0095] Elispot: Spleen cells were assayed for the frequency of IFN-γ and IL-4 producing cells. Maxisorp 96 well plates (Nunc) were coated overnight at 4° C. with 50 μl of 10 μg/ml anti-IFN-γ monoclonal antibody HB170 [22] or 100 μl of anti-1 L-4 monoclonal antibody 11B11 [23] in carbonate buffer pH 9.6. The plates were washed with PBS and blocked with culture medium at 37° C. for 1 hr. Cells (2×10⁵, 1×10⁵, 5×10⁴, 2.5×10⁴ per well) were added to the wells in conjunction with the appropriate antigen (45 μg/ml) and incubated for 72 hrs at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. The cells were removed and cytokines detected with the addition of a biotinylated secondary rat anti-mouse anti-IFN-γ antibody XMG 1.2 [24] or rat anti-mouse anti-IL4 antibody BVD6 [25] at a {fraction (1/1000)} dilution. Following the addition of streptavidin alkaline phosphatase (Boehringer Mannheim) the spots were developed using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indyl phosphate/nitrobluetetrazolium (BCIP/NBT) (Sigma) tablets. The spots were counted using a dissecting microscope and the frequency determined by averaging the number of spots for triplicate wells.

[0096] Statistics: The statistical significance of data was determined by the two-sample ranks test (Wilcoxon-White) or by Student's t test based on the log₁₀ titre. Differences with p<0.05 were considered significant.

Example 2 Effects of Immunisation

[0097] A Listeriolysin-mannan (M-LLO) conjugate was prepared as described in Example 1.

[0098] LLO specific antibodies in serum M-LLO.FP following intranasal immunisation: To determine whether the intranasal route of immunisation was superior to intraperitoneal in inducing substantial IgA antibody responses, (CBA×BALB/c)F1 mice were immunised i.n or i.p. on days 0, 10 and 17 with 12 μg M-LLO.FP. Serum was obtained from three mice 7 days after the final immunisation and antibody levels measured by ELISA (FIG. 1). Mice immunised i.n with M-LLO.FP, produced antigen-specific IgA to a geometric mean titre of {fraction (1/900)} (log 2.96±0.21) (FIG. 1a), whereas IgA antibody was not detectable after the standard i.p. immunisation. It should be noted that i.p. immunisation could lead to antibody production, as IgG1 titres of {fraction (1/640)} were detected (FIG. 1b). However, even with this isotype i.n immunisation was superior, inducing titres in excess of {fraction (1/1280)}.

[0099] To further investigate the different antibody classes induced by i.n immunisation, (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised i.n with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP conjugate on days 0, 10 and 17 and bled on day 24. The serum antibody levels from individual mice were measured by ELISA (FIG. 2). IgA serum antibody responses in M-LLO.FP immunised mice ({fraction (1/5184)}) were higher than those obtained from mice immunised i.n with 12 μg of non-conjugated LLO.FP (1/25) (FIG. 2a). A significant difference (p<0.01) in the IgG1 response (FIG. 2b), was observed with titres more than 80× higher for M-LLO.FP compared with non-conjugated LLO.FP. A significant difference (p<0.01) was observed between conjugated and non-conjugated LLO.FP with IgG2a titres of {fraction (1/32512)} and {fraction (1/383)} respectively (FIG. 2c). Infection with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism known for its induction of cell mediated immunity, resulted in minimal antibody responses. Overall, the greatest percentage increases were noted for the IgA and IgG2a subclasses of antibody. The experiment was repeated with conjugates prepared on different occasions with three different batches of mannan, and proved to be a very reproducible observation.

[0100] Comparison between oxidised mannan and CT as mucosal adjuvants: In previous studies where CT has been used as a mucosal adjuvant in mice, the immunisation regimes adopted have varied [26, 27]. Therefore, to compare the adjuvanticity of mannan and CT the initial experiment was performed using the schedule previously found optimal for mannan [28] of administering antigen and adjuvant on days 0, 10 and 17. (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were given either 12 μg of MLLO.FP or CT+LLO.FP i.n. Serum, vaginal washings, mouth washings and faecal samples were collected at the times shown on FIG. 3 for titration of IgA. IgA titres in negative control groups, including mannan alone, CT alone and normal serum, were not more than the limit of detection and are not shown.

[0101] Oxidised mannan was a consistently better mucosal adjuvant than CT when administered with LLO.FP. Immunisation with M-LLO.FP induced a peak geometric mean IgA titre of {fraction (1/667)} in serum with some titres in excess of {fraction (1/1280)}. This compared with {fraction (1/165)} for CT+LLO.FP (FIG. 3a). LLO.FP alone induced a mean titre of only {fraction (1/69)}.

[0102] The superior efficacy of M-LLO.FP was also observed at distant mucosal sites. IgA titres in vaginal washings (FIG. 3b) were more variable than in serum, but individual mice reached titres >{fraction (1/320)} (geometric mean={fraction (1/195)}) after M-LLO.FP, compared with a mean of {fraction (1/55)} for CT+LLO.FP. LLO.FP alone induced a mean titre of {fraction (1/37)}. IgA titres in the saliva (FIG. 3c) of M-LLO.FP immunised mice were only detectable on day 41 of the experiment with a mean of {fraction (1/10)} and a high of {fraction (1/28)}. Titres, although low, were higher than those observed for LLO.FP or CT+LLO.FP. In both instances, CT was quite a poor adjuvant.

[0103] In a second series of experiments (FIG. 4), the immunisation schedule was extended to 0, 28 and 56 days, with doses as before, to test whether a longer time between prime and boost would favour either adjuvant. Again the response to M-LLO.FP produced higher titres than CT+LLO.FP. The peak geometric mean titres following M-LLO.FP were {fraction (1/1040)} in serum and {fraction (1/256)} in vaginal washings. This compared with {fraction (1/44)} and {fraction (1/22)} respectively following CT+LLO.FP. Although differences were often not statistically significant because of the variability of individual mice, oxidised mannan was consistently the better adjuvant under two different immunisation regimes.

[0104] IgA titres were examined over a considerable timecourse in these experiments. In general, they did not reach substantial levels until after three injections, whether of M-LLO.FP or CT+LLO.FP. IgA persisted at peak titre in the serum for more than three weeks after the last immunisation, particularly of M-LLO.FP (FIG. 3a, 4 a). IgA production in the vagina (FIG. 3b, 4 b) also required three immunisations and these titres were more variable than in-serum, and generally less sustained.

[0105] To extend the investigation of mucosal IgA to other sites, (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised i.n. with M-LLO.FP as before and tears and lung washings collected on days 24 and 35 respectively. Mice immunised with M-LLO.FP conjugate produced significantly higher titres of IgA (p<0.01) in tears when compared with the unconjugated controls (geometric means titres: M-LLO.FP {fraction (1/121)}compared with {fraction (1/25)} for LLO.FP alone) (FIG. 5a). The same trend was observed in the lungs at day 35 (FIG. 5b). Significantly higher titres of IgA were detected in mice immunised with M-LLO.FP (1/975) compared with LLO.FP alone (1/38) (p<0.05).

Example 3 Influence of Conjugation of Mannan to Antigen on IgA Induction

[0106] To investigate whether there was a need for the mannan to be conjugated to LLO.FP or whether the adjuvant effect could be achieved when mannan was simply mixed with antigen, mice were immunised with the M-LLO.FP conjugate or with a mannan+LLO.FP mixture (mannan and 12 μg of LLO.FP mixed together). (CBA×BALB/c)F1 mice were immunised i.n on days 0, 10 and 17. Serum and vaginal washings were taken from individual mice on day 24 of the experiment. IgA titres were subsequently determined by ELISA (Table 1). The results showed that a conjugate provides a better adjuvant effect. The geometric mean antibody titre in the serum for conjugated LLO.FP was >{fraction (1/1000)}. This was significantly higher than the mannan+LLO.FP mixture which produced an average titre of {fraction (1/34)}. Notwithstanding this some antibody is obtained from the mannan antigen admixture. A similar pattern was seen in the antibody response at a distant mucosal site, namely the vagina, with titres of {fraction (1/195)} for the conjugate and {fraction (1/45)} for the mixture. All negative controls produced undetectable levels of IgA with small titres of antibody observed in vaginal washings for the LLO.FP alone group ({fraction (1/14)}).

[0107] Earlier experiments with mannan-conjugated proteins injected i.p. showed that conjugates produced under reduced conditions were better at inducing antibody than were oxidised conjugates [13]. Therefore, (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised i.n with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP conjugate (oxidised form) or 12 μg of M-LLO.FP conjugate (reduced form). The results indicated that the oxidised form of the MLLO.FP conjugate given i.n induced higher titres of IgA, IgG1 and IgG2a in the serum (FIG. 6a, b and c) compared with the reduced form. All four mice immunised with M-LLO.FP (oxidised form) had higher titres than the corresponding four mice given the reduced form of M-LLO.FP, with the exception of one high responder mouse in the group given reduced mannan. Significant differences (p<0.02) applied to all the subclasses assayed (geometric mean titres: IgA={fraction (1/1380)} for oxidised, {fraction (1/275)} for reduced; IgG1={fraction (1/3388)} for oxidised, {fraction (1/813)} for reduced; IgG2a={fraction (1/1660)} for oxidised, {fraction (1/173)} for reduced).

EXAMPLE 4 Mannan as Adjuvant for other Antigens

[0108] To demonstrate that the use of mannan as a mucosal adjuvant was applicable to other antigens mannan was conjugated to the 19 kDa lipoprotein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and to Mycobacterium avium antigen hsp65 as set forth in Example 1. C57B1/10 mice were immunised i.n. with 12 μg of M-19FP conjugate on days 0, 10 and 17. On day 24 of the experiment the mice were euthanased and bled by cardiac puncture. Mice were similarly immunised with mannan hsp65. Serum was separated and IgA titres determined by ELISA (FIG. 7a). The four mice immunised with M-19FP produced significantly higher titres of IgA (geometric mean {fraction (1/1530)}) when compared with mice given 12 μg of 19 kDaFP (titres of IgA <{fraction (1/100)}). The results for mice immunised with mannan-hsp65 are shown in FIG. 7(b). IgA titres for the immunised mice were well above that of the normal mice.

[0109] The examples above present mannan as a novel mucosal adjuvant which, when administered intranasally, induced high mucosal and serum titres of IgA, IgG1 and IgG2a specific for recombinant protein antigens with which it was administered. Oxidised mannan was previously used conjugated to the breast cancer antigen MUC1 and injected i.p. into mice where it induced CTL and a Th1 cytokines, protecting against tumours expressing MUC1 [12, 13]. In that context it induced a poor antibody response, dominated by IgG2a. It was the change to intranasal administration in the current experiments which resulted production of IgA and other classes of antibody in serum and mucosal secretions.

[0110] The induction of IgA responses on mucosal surfaces is a highly desirable outcome in immunisation against a wide spectrum of diseases. Amongst other examples, mucosal antibodies and particularly IgA, have been shown to protect against influenza in the lung [29], against Helicobacter pylori in the stomach [30], against Haemophilis influenzae in the ear [31] and against Chlamidia trachomatis in the genital tract [32]. Induction of IgA and other mucosal antibodies following intramuscular or subcutaneous immunisation with conventional vaccines is poor [33, 33a]. Therefore oxidised mannan may be a valuable adjuvant if coupled to protective antigens from a wide variety of infectious agents.

[0111] Cholera toxin has become the most extensively studied mucosal adjuvant in experimental models, although its relative toxicity has so far precluded it from approval as a human adjuvant [34]. In the present experiments, immunisation with mannan-conjugated LLO intranasally induced superior IgA and IgG2a responses in the mucosa and serum compared with CT plus LLO or LLO alone. The difference in the IgG1 response was less marked, but still higher for the mannan adjuvant. Titres of antibody following immunisation with mannan conjugates were not only higher than with CT, they were more sustained. Mannan has the further advantage over CT in being non-toxic and already approved for human use and is currently involved in human trails for cancer therapy [14]. As with the present observations on mannan, a mixture of the B subunit of CT (CTB) with antigen resulted in higher titres of IgA in the serum and mucosa when given to mice intranasally rather than intraperitoneally [33]. It is widely believed that this influence of the route of exposure is a function of the mucosal antigen presenting cells.

[0112] Two interesting observations were made when analysing the form of the antigen/adjuvant in the present experiments. The first showed that oxidised mannan conjugated to the antigen (LLO.FP or 19 kDaFP) facilitates the adjuvant effect. This confirms the observations with the MUC 1 studies where conjugation of oxidised mannan to the MUC 1 antigen induced better immune responses [13]. The second observation contrasts with the MUC 1 studies because the oxidised form of the M-LLO.FP induced maximum antibody production. Immunisation with the oxidised form of mannan-MUC 1 resulted in low antibody levels [13].

[0113] How, then, does mannan act as an adjuvant? It has been shown that antigens bearing mannose residues are bound to the mannose receptors on antigen presenting cells (APC), facilitating uptake into the MHC Class II pathway for efficient antigen presentation [35, 36, 37]. Oxidised mannan-MUCI induced both Class I restricted CTL and a Th1 response [12]. It has been suggested that oxidised mannan-MUC1, by virtue of the aldehyde residues created by the oxidation process, escapes the phagocytic pathway and is transported into the MHC Class I pathway inducing CTL [15]. This pathway would not be open to reduced complexes, where aldehyde residues are reduced to alcohols by the action of boral hydrate. The exact mechanism by which aldehyde acts is unknown. Curiously, the inventors did not detect the induction of Class I-restricted CTL in experiments with M-LLO.FP injected i.p. Furthermore, the response to the inventor's antigens given intranasally was not classically either Th1 or Th2, since IgG1 and IgA (generally considered Th2 responses) and IgG2a (Th1) were allelevated. This was confirmed by cytokine assays where both IFN-γ and IL4 were elevated. This aspect is further explored in Example 5.

[0114] The mechanism by which M-LLO.FP and M-19FP induce such excellent antibody responses after i.n immunisation is unknown. Others have shown preferential induction of Th2 responses following intranasal instillation of leishmania antigens, even in strains of mouse which are genetically constrained to produce a typical Th1 response to these organisms injected parenterally [38]. Without wishing to be bound by theory it may be that alveolar macrophages or dendritic cells, which have been shown to present antigens efficiently in other systems [39], are playing a significant role in the induction of these IgA responses.

[0115] Induction of mucosal immunity begins with the uptake of antigen by membranous (M) cells (specialised epithelial cells) on the mucosal surface. These cells either process and present antigen to underlying T-Cells or B-cells themselves or transport antigen to parenchymal macrophages, dendritic cells and B-cells. Once interaction of the antigen presenting cell (APC) with T and B lymphocytes has occurred, an immune response or mucosal tolerance may result. Immune responses generally involve antibody production, with IgA the predominant antibody isotype. Antigen sensitised immune cells are then circulated to other systemic and mucosal sites for expansion of effector mechanisms [40]. The fact that there is a preferential circulation of T cells activated at mucosal sites to return to the same or other mucosal sites accounts for the induction of IgA at remote mucosal surfaces.

EXAMPLE 5 Oxidised Mannan-Listeriolysin O Conjugates Induce Th1/Th2 Cytokine Responses After Intranasal Immunisation

[0116] Clearance of infectious organisms does not always require polarised Th1 or Th2 responses. It may in fact be advantageous for both a Th1 and Th2 response to be elicited for effective protection against an invading pathogen. It was the aim of this Example to investigate oxidised mannan as a possible Th1/Th2 adjuvant.

[0117] 5.1 Materials and Methods

[0118] Mice, production of antigens, conjugates and immunisation were the same as Example 1. Spleen cell proliferation, cytokine production and Elispot assays were as described in Example 1.

[0119] 5.2 Results

[0120] a. Comparison of Intranasal and Intraperitoneal Immunisation

[0121] Having established that the intranasal route of administration produced better antibody responses than those measured after intraperitoneal immunisation as described in Example 2, a direct comparison between the two routes of immunisation was undertaken to determine if a similar pattern could be established for cellular responses. (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised i.n. or i.p. on days 0, 10 and 17 with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP. On day 24 the mice were sacrificed and spleens removed. Spleen cell preparations were used to establish proliferation, IL-2 and IFN-γ ELISPOT assays. Spleen cells were cultured in the presence of the MHC class II restricted epitope of LLO₍₂₁₅₋₂₂₆₎ and incorporation of [³H]-TdR measured to determine the proliferative response (FIG. 8a). Mice immunised with M-LLO.FP intranasally produced counts significantly higher than the group of mice which had the M-LLO.FP administered by the intraperitoneal route (3972±502 vs 983+145, p<0.002). The latter approximated background levels. LLO.FP without adjuvant by either route induced background levels of proliferation only.

[0122] The ability of spleen cells to produce IL-2 is shown in FIG. 8b. Spleen cells were cultured in the presence of LLO₍₂₁₅₋₂₂₆₎ or LLO.FP (45 μg/ml) and supernatants harvested at 24 hours. The ability of the supernatants to maintain the IL-2 dependent CTL cell line was determined by the incorporation of [³H]-TdR. Mice immunised with MLLO.FP intranasally produced counts of 1219±268 (LLO₍₂₁₅₋₂₂₆)) and 4523±689 (LLO.FP). These values were significantly higher (p<0.01, p<0.002) than the group of mice which received the M-LLO.FP administered by the intraperitoneal route with geometric means of 182±73 (LLO₍₂15₂₂₆)) and 417±40 (LLO.FP), which approximated background levels. LLO.FP without adjuvant by either route induced background levels of IL-2.

[0123] Importantly this pattern was also observed with the IFN-γ ELISPOT (FIG. 8c). Spleen cells were cultured in the presence of LLO.FP and the frequency of IFN-γ-producing cells determined by ELISPOT. Mice immunised with M-LLO.FP intranasally produced a high frequency of IFN-γ-producing cells/10⁶ spleen cells (58±20), significantly higher (p<0.05) than the group of mice which had the MLLO.FP administered by the intraperitoneal route (10±8) which approximated background levels. Mice given LLO.FP by either route without adjuvant recalled levels of IFN-γ producing cells just above background.

[0124] b. Dose Response

[0125] Intranasal immunisation with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP resulted in significant proliferative and Th1 cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-γ) responses, but Th1 responses are often favoured by lower doses of antigen [41]. Therefore, (CBA×BALB/c) F1 mice were immunised i.n. on days 0, 10 and 17 with 12 μg, 6 μg or 3 μg of M-LLO.FP and on day 24 the mice were sacrificed and spleens removed. Proliferative responses and the frequency of IFN-γ-producing cells from spleen cell preparations were measured. Proliferative responses after in vitro stimulus with the MHC class II restricted epitope of LLO indicated that intranasal immunisation with the 12 μg dose was significantly higher than the 6 μg (p<0.02) and 3 μg (p<0.01) dose of M-LLO.FP (6385±1506, 1962±649 and 1630±375 respectively). Cells from unconjugated doses of LLO.FP produced levels of proliferation slightly above background (results not shown).

[0126] A similar pattern of results was observed for the production of IFN-γ. The IFN-γ producing cells/10⁶ spleen cells for the 12 μg dose was significantly higher than for the 6 μg (p<0.01) and 3 μg (p<0.01) dose of M-LLO.FP (97±20, 32±8 and 12±6 respectively). Mice given the unconjugated control antigen all produced fewer than 50 IFN-γ producing cells/10⁶ spleen cells (results not shown).

[0127] c. Comparison of the Oxidised and Reduced Form of M-LLO.FP

[0128] Earlier studies with mannan-conjugated proteins injected intraperitoneally showed that conjugates produced under oxidising conditions were better at inducing Th1 responses compared to conjugates produced under reduced conditions [13] that favoured Th2 responses. To test this hypothesis (CBA×BALB/c) Fl mice were immunised i.n. with 12 μg of M-LLO.FP conjugate (oxidised form) or 12 μg of M-LLO.FP conjugate (reduced form) on days 0, 10 and 17 and mice sacrificed on day 24. A comparison of the two forms of conjugate for their ability to produce the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ or the Th2 cytokine IL4 was performed using the ELISPOT assay. Spleen cells were cultured in the presence of LLO.FP and the frequency of IFN-γ or IL4 producing spots determined (FIG. 9). The results clearly indicated that the oxidised form of the conjugate produced significantly higher frequencies of both IFN-γ and IL-4 producing cells (107±12 and 123±12 respectively) when compared to the reduced form (32±10 and 57±38) (p<0.02, p<0.05). There was no indication that, using this antigen and route of immunisation, that the oxidised form induced Th1 and the reduced form induced Th2 cytokines. However this may be dose-dependent.

[0129] 5.3. Discussion

[0130] These experiments present oxidised mannan as an adjuvant which, when administered intranasally, induced proliferative responses, IL-2 production, IFN-γ production and IL-4 production by cultured lymphocytes. Comparison of intranasal and intraperitoneal routes of immunisation revealed the superior efficacy for induction of these immune responses by the intranasal route. As most proteins administered to the mucosal surface without adjuvant fail to induce systemic or mucosal immune responses, oxidised mannan may be used as an adjuvant to induce both Th1 and Th2 immune responses. It offers the great advantage as an adjuvant of being non-toxic and already approved for human use in the context of breast-cancer therapy.

[0131] There is evidence in the literature that suggests that variations in antigen dose can polarise immune responses, inducing either DTH or antibody responses depending on antigen concentration. It is generally believed that low doses of antigen favour Th1 responses and high doses of antigen favour Th2 responses [41]. The results described in this study do not support this. Low doses of M-LLO.FP conjugate i.n. were unable to induce Th1 responses. Interestingly, the highest dose of M-LLO.FP conjugate was responsible for increases in the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ. These results contradict earlier observations where immunisation with low doses of mannan-conjugates favoured Th1 responses [28].

[0132] It appears that oxidised mannan administered intranasally can be an effective adjuvant for the induction of Th1 and Th2 responses as seen with the two model antigens used in this Example. This ability is of particular interest with infections such as C. trachomatis or H. pylon where both cell mediated and humoral responses appear necessary for control of infection. In the case of C. trachomatis, cell mediated responses alone appear to contribute to immunopathology whereas antibody responses are not sufficient to control infection [42, 43]. It has been suggested in the case of H. pylon that Th1 and Th2 responses are required at different stages for control of infection. The early response is dominated by Th1 and the late by Th2 [44]. Candidate vaccines such as those contemplated by the present invention with the ability to produce both Th1 and Th2 responses might therefore prove to be effective against both pathogens.

EXAMPLE 6 Immunisation with Rotavirus VP5 Antigen Conjugated Mannan

[0133] Mice and immunisation thereof were as described in Example 1. Samples of serum, tears and/or stools were collected as described in Example 1 at days 24 and 34 after immunisation. On day 35 the mice were sacrificed and lung washings were collected as shown in Example 1.

[0134] Detection of antibody in the samples was carried out as described in Example 1. The results are represented in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 shows that in mice immunised intranasally with 6ug VP5₂₄₆₋₂₇₄-mannan, titres of serum IgA, IgG1 and IgG2a were significantly higher than in mice immunised intranasally with the antigen alone, at 24 and 35 days after immunisation.

[0135]FIG. 12 shows the presence of IgA in tears collected 24 days after immunisation with the antigen-mannan conjugate, and in the stools collected at day 34. No antibody was detected in mice receiving antigen alone. IgA in lung washings was also significantly higher than in samples from animals injected with the antigen alone.

EXAMPLE 7 Protection Against Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lesions

[0136] The antigen used was the major virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the extracellular complex of Arg- and Lysspecific proteases and adhesions designated the RpgA-Kgp complex (formerly the PrtR-PrtK complex and abbreviated Cpx), prepared and conjugated with mannan as described in Example 1. Cpx antigen (12 μg) was administered intranasally on days 0, 10 and 17. Alternatively, the Cpx antigen was administered subcutaneously in incomplete Freunds adjuvant as previously described [18]. Mice were infected with 8×10⁹ cells of Porphyromonas gingivalis subcutaneously in the abdomen on day 30 and lesion sizes measured over 14 days. Lesion sizes were statistically analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon rank sum test with a Bonferroni correction.

[0137] Groups of 5 C57B1/10 mice were immunised with Cpx-mannan given intranasally or Cpx in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) subcutaneously. Control mice received the respective adjuvants alone. Results of protection against challenge with Porphyromonas gingivalis are shown in FIG. 13. Cpx linked to mannan afforded complete protection. IFA, the standard adjuvant used in studies of Porphyromonas gingivalis vaccination afforded only partial protection. Interestingly, the serum antibody titres, although raised in the mice immunised with Cpx-mannan, was higher in the mice immunised with Cpx in IFA. Both had significant adjuvant effects (p<0.05). This emphasises the point that, particularly where inflammatory lesions are critical to disease, antibody titre may not be an accurate predictor of protection.

EXAMPLE 8 Immunisation with HPV-E7

[0138] Mice were immunised with HPV-E7 conjugated to oxidised mannan, E7 conjugated to reduced mannan and with E7 alone, as per Example 1. The results (FIG. 15) show no substantial difference between the oxidised and reduced forms although this may have been due to dose levels.

EXAMPLE 9 Immunisation with Other Antigens

[0139] Antigens used in accordance with the invention may also be produced by conventional peptide synthesis after selecting putative immunogenic peptides. The putative immunogenic peptides may be selected from published studies or may be peptides suspected of being immunogenic based on a skilled person's knowledge of the art. The putative immunogenic peptides are then coupled to a carrier protein which is, in turn, conjugated to mannan.

[0140] Alternatively, plasmids containing genes encoding selected antigens are expressed in E. coli. The proteins coupled to mannan are administered and the antibody response at the site most relevant to protection is examined. Examples of proteins that can be tested are as follows: PROTECTIVE SITE OF ORGANISM DISEASE ANTIGEN ANTIBODY Influenza Flu Haemagglutinin Lungs virus Helicobacter Stomach ulcers, Recombinant Stomach pylori cancer proteins, urease Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Recombinant VP4 Intestine in infants protein and its fragment VP5 and other outer capsid proteins Chlamydia Sexually transmitted Major outer Vagina, Eye trachomatis disease, pelvic membrane protein inflammatory disease, non- specific urethritis, trachoma

[0141] Mannan-antigen complexes are encased in various timeddelivery capsules and delivered intranasally, orally or rectally. At intervals, serum, saliva, lung or vaginal washings will be collected, and ELISA are used to measure IgG1, IgG2a, IgE and IgA.

CONCLUSION

[0142] In this study the inventors have shown the application of the invention to a number of antigens. In addition, they have shown that antibodies to the antigens have been detected at a number of sites including serum, lungs, vagina, lachrymal glands and colon. These results are surprising for a number of reasons. Past studies have demonstrated that mice immunised by standard methods with oxidised mannan-human MUC1 conjugate produced cellular immunity but little humoral immunity (i.e. antibody). Whereas when the reduced form of the same conjugate was administered to mice by standard methods only a serum antibody response was found. Other studies have shown that when various antigens (MUC1, lysteriolysin) conjugated to oxidised mannan were administered to humans, mice and monkeys mostly IgG1 antibodies were found. There was no IgA response. Given this background it was extremely surprising that intranasal administration of mannan-antigen gave rise to secreted IgA.

[0143] The work done by the inventors indicates that intranasal administration of mannan and antigen may advance vaccine development for sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or human immunodeficiency virus, gum disease, eye diseases, other mucosally acquired infections like influenza and rotavirus or even have veterinary application with uses in animal infections or pest control. The fact is that this is a novel, non-toxic adjuvant that induces systemic and mucosal antibody responses superior to the standard mucosal adjuvant CT.

[0144] It is to be understood that although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, various modifications, variations and adaptations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the central concept of the invention.

[0145] It is also to be understood that the term “comprise” or any of its grammatical equivalents has the same scope as the term “include” and its grammatical equivalents.

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1. A method of immunising a subject, comprising the step of administering a composition comprising: an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site thereby to stimulate an immune response comprising a secretory immune response, wherein the polymer a) comprises monomers comprising aldehyde groups, and b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a humoral immune response results.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the immune response is an IgA response.
 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the mucosal site is selected from the group consisting of mucosal tissues lining the oral cavity, gingivae, buccal tissues, oro-pharangeal cavaties, throat, tonsils, respiratory tract, nasal tissues, trachea, bronchi, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, colon, rectum, male and female reproductive tracts, penis, vulva, vagina, bladder, ureter, urethra and associated tissues, cervico-vaginal tissues, fallopian tubes and uterus.
 5. A method of modulating an immune response comprising a secretory immune response at a mucosal site in a subject comprising the step of administering a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site wherein the polymer a) comprises monomers comprising aldehyde groups, and b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the immune response comprises stimulation of mediators of cellular immunity such as Th1 and/or Th2.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein a mucosal or secretory immune response is stronger than a systemic immune response.
 8. The method of claim 1 or claim 5 wherein the antigen is selected from the group consisting of the following or immunogenic portions thereof pollens, allergens, bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, protozoa or other microorganisms including pathogens of humans, animals and plants.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the antigen is selected from the group consisting of influenza virus, haemagglutinin of influenza, Porphyromona gingivalis, proteinase and adhesin epitopes of Porphyromona gingivalis, Helicobacter pylori, urease of Helicobacter pylori, rotavirus, recombinant VP5 protein of rotavirus, HIV, gp120 of HIV, RSV, surface proteins of RSV and ovalbumin peptides and Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, BCG, influenza nucleoprotein, Respiratory Syncyticial virus (RSV) F or G proteins, HIV, Candida albicans and Chlamydia trachomatis or outer membrane proteins thereof, Neisseria meningitidis class 1 outer protein, Herpes simplex virus type I glycoprotein G or gp D or CP27, Human Papilloma Virus, Murray valley encephalitis virus E glycoprotein, antigenic portions thereof and derivatives thereof.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the antigen is selected from the group consisting of HIV antigens, malaria antigens, antigens from microorganisms which cause venereal disease, common cold or influenza and antigens which induce asthma.
 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the antigen is conjugated to oxidised mannan.
 12. A composition adapted to be administered at a mucosal site of a subject thereby to generate an immune response comprising a secretory immune response, the composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose, wherein the polymer a) comprises monomers comprising aldehyde groups, and b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.
 13. Use of a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose for the manufacture of a medicament for the modulation of an immune response comprising a secretory immune response in a subject wherein the polymer a) comprises monomers comprising aldehyde groups, and b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.
 14. Use of a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose for the manufacture of a vaccine suitable for administration to a mucosal site thereby to generate an immune response comprising a secretory immune response wherein the polymer a) comprises monomers comprising aldehyde groups, and b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.
 15. A method of vaccinating a subject against a disease comprising the step of administering at a mucosal site of the subject a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose thereby to generate an immune response comprising a secretory immune response wherein the polymer a) comprises monomers comprising aldehyde groups, and b) is covalently bonded to the antigen.
 16. A method of sterilising a non-human subject comprising the step of administering to a mucosal site a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose. 